Biodegradable system for regenerating the periodontium
AssigneeVipont Pharmaceutical, Inc.
InventorsRichard L. Dunn, Arthur J. Tipton, George L. Southard, Jack A. Rogers
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Abstract
Methods are described for assisting the restoration of periodontal tissue in a periodontal pocket and for retarding migration of epithelial cells along the root surface of a tooth. The methods involve placement of an in-situ forming biodegradable barrier adjacent the surface of a tooth. The barrier is microporous and includes pores of defined size. The barrier can include a biologically active agent.
Claims15
A method for assisting the restoration of periodontal tissue in a periodontal pocket, comprising:
- placing a liquid solution of a biodegradable, water-coagulable, thermoplastic polymer and a water miscible non-toxic organic solvent into said periodontal pocket;
- wherein said organic solvent dissipates into periodontal fluids and said biodegradable, water-coagulable, thermoplastic polymer coagulates to form an in-situ solid biodegradable implant, and said dissipation of solvent creates pores within said solid biodegradable implant having sizes in the range of about 3 to 500 microns;
- said solid biodegradable implant having a porosity in the range of 5 to 95% provided by said pores;
- and the sizes of said pores and porosity being effective to promote cell growth.
A method for retarding apical migration of epithelial cells along a root surface of a tooth comprising placing a liquid solution of a biodegradable, water-coagulable, thermoplastic polymer and a water miscible non-toxic organic solvent into said periodontal pocket;
- wherein said organic solvent dissipates into periodontal fluids and said biodegradable, coagulable, thermoplastic polymer coagulates to form an in-situ solid biodegradable barrier adjacent to said surface, and said dissipation of solvent creates pores within said solid biodegradable barrier having sizes in the range of about 3 to 500 microns;
- said solid biodegradable barrier having a porosity in the range of 5 to 95% provided by said pores;
- and the sizes of said pores and porosity being effective to promote cell growth.
A method for promoting guided tissue regeneration in a periodontal pocket comprising placing a liquid solution of a biodegradable, water-coagulable, thermoplastic polymer and a water miscible non-toxic organic solvent into a periodontal pocket;
- wherein said organic solvent dissipates into periodontal fluids and said biodegradable, water-coagulable, thermoplastic polymer coagulates to form an in-situ solid biodegradable implant, and said dissipation of solvent creates pores within said solid biodegradable implant having sizes in the range of about 3 to 500 microns;
- said biodegradable implant having a porosity in the range of 5 to 95% provided by said pores;
- and the sizes of said pores and porosity being effective to create cell growth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.